Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

On the Road Again: Washington Supreme Court to Hear Cases in Seattle at the University of Washington School of Law This Week

SEATTLE, Wash. – On Thursday, May 3rd, the nine justices of the Washington State Supreme Court will travel to University of Washington School of Law to interact with students and to hear arguments on three cases, ranging from attorney discipline to tort liability. The event is open to the public.

The state’s highest court is located in Olympia in the Temple of Justice on the state capitol grounds.  Since 1985, the Court has heard cases “on the road” in an outreach effort allowing citizens to see the court in action in their local communities.  The Court will also be travelling to Centralia Community College on May 10^th.

“The Court enjoys visiting our state’s colleges and law schools,” says Chief Justice Barbara Madsen. “In addition to the students, we encourage anyone interested in learning more about the judicial branch of government to see the workings of the highest court up close and personal.” 

All Washington Supreme Court oral arguments are open to the public, and are broadcasted at a later date via Washington’s Public Affairs network, TVW.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Law School’s courtroom, Chief Justice Barbara Madsen and Justices Charles W. Johnson, Tom Chambers, Susan Owens, Mary Fairhurst, James M. Johnson, Debra Stephens, Charles Wiggins and Steven González will hear the following arguments:

·         9:30-10:10 a.m:  Munich v. Skagit Emergency Commc’ns Ctr., et al.:  Whether a county may be held liable under the special relationship exception to public duty doctrine for damages allegedly caused by a negligent response to a 911 call even though the 911 operator truthfully told the caller that a police officer had been dispatched.

·         10:20-11:00 a.m: Cregan v. Fourth Memorial Church:  Whether the recreational use immunity statute, RCW 4.24.200-210, which protects landowners from tort liability if they allow free public use of their land for recreational purposes, applies to a private camp that ordinarily charges a fee for use but in this instance allowed a group to use the facility for free.

·         1:30-2:15 p.m.:  In re:  Paul Eugene Simmerly, Attorney at Law:  Attorney Discipline  

Immediately following arguments in the two cases, the justices will answer questions from the audience, then recess to conference on the cases until 12:00 p.m. Justices will then have lunch with students and reconvene at 1:30 p.m. to hear the last case of the day.

Though cameras and video recorders are generally allowed, the Court asks that no flash, other lights or noisy film advance mechanisms be used during the hearings. Only one television camera will be allowed to film the oral arguments; other TV stations are asked to pool coverage.   

Written opinions are rendered approximately three to six months after oral arguments. For further information regarding the Court, visit the Washington Courts web site at www.courts.wa.gov.

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Editor’s note:  For media planning to cover the event, please contact Wendy Ferrell at 360-705-5331, or Tim Schiewe, the Supreme Court bailiff at 360-357-2074 prior to the event.

Wendy K. Ferrell Judicial Communications Manager 360.705.5331 e-mail Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov

Lorrie Thompson Communications Officer 360.705.5347 Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov